Grunting

Sports Forum - Other voices: Commentary on topical issues

September 13, 1992|By Mitch Albom, Detroit Free Press

When we start complaining about grunting in the United States, I have to say: Unnnnnnnhh! Whoa, baby.

Monica Seles has the right to grunt. She has the right to moan. She has the right to wheeze, whine, chortle, holler and sing ''Hallelujah!'' if she wants. It is the American way. Especially in sports. This is the land of the Touchdown Dance. The NBA High Five. The Hockey Fight.

Suddenly grunting is a criminal offense?

Come on. I knew a football lineman once who purposely ate garlic and onions before a game, then breathed as hard as he could in his opponent's face. That's distracting. Or the basketball player who used to whisper to his enemies, ''Saw your wife last night. She get home all right?'' That's distracting.